Central St Martins gives King's Cross the edge
Central St Martins' new campus is fizzing and the first of 2,000 homes are launched, as 67 acres of King's Cross becomes London's hottest district.
Property insider: Kingston upon Thames
There is something of a buy-to-let boom quietly rumbling away in Kingston upon Thames, the family favourite south-west London suburb. We get the property lowdown.
Spotlight on Stoke Newington
Young professionals and families are attracted to "Stokey" by the mainly Victorian housing stock and the neighbourhood's arty and bohemian vibe.
Spotlight on Harpenden
Close to woods and parkland, with good links to London, this small town has a lot to offer those looking to start a new life out of the city.
Don't move - let the light come to you
A Chiswick couple dramatically changed their 'for now' house into a forever home. And many others are transforming their family homes.
Find a rated tradesman
Want to add value to your property, make your house a home, or sell your place fast? With 1,000s of tradesmen nationwide, rated and recommended by previous customers, this is the smart way to find a reputable tradesman.
Buy of the week: Streatham Hill
On leafy Downton Avenue in SW2, plenty of family space can be yours for £550,000 at this Edwardian home. There are four bedrooms and a convertible loft space, and the open-plan kitchen/breakfast room has French windows to a good-size garden.
Swap of the week: Dalwood, Devon
Cosy up by woodburning stoves or cook a feast in the vaulted kitchen/breakfast room of this 18th-century thatch for £525,000. Three bedrooms overlook cottage gardens and a timber studio makes a perfect home office.
Life-changer: St Erth Praze, Cornwall
Tregenhorne Farm (£550,000) has four acres of paddocks, stables and valley views, minutes from Cornwall's north coast. You can run your own equestrian business from the garden office and the four-bedroom home has a country kitchen with an Aga.
Spotlight on Harpenden
Close to woods and parkland, with good links to London, this small town has a lot to offer those looking to start a new life out of the city.
Property search
June diary
June is a great month for collectors and connoisseurs, with antiques fairs, two-for-one ticket offers and studio open days. Or take a wander through London's secret garden squares, writes Barbara Chandler
A group of Chinese glass overlay snuff bottles, 1770-1850, The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair
The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair
It is the 75th anniversary of this glittering event, boasting "the best dealers and the most beautiful objects", and running from 11 to 17 June. On offer will be furniture, paintings and jewellery and more from 90 of the world's top dealers. Catering for current trends in collectors' tastes is the Reel Poster Gallery, with original film posters.
Tickets cost £16 (single) and £27 (double), to include a handbook. Or print this page and show at the ticket desk to receive two single tickets for the price of one; or book online using code H&P09.
The Great Room, Grosvenor House, Park Lane, W1; 020 7399 8100; www.grosvenorfair.co.uk
The International Art & Antiques Fair
Collectors will have a field day at this fabulous fair, which will cram the exhibition halls at Olympia from 5 to 14 June. Browse an eclectic mix of art and antiques from Old Masters to mid-century modern, from evocative photographic prints to world-renowned furniture-makers.
A Chelsea Hans Sloane plate, circa 1755-56, International Ceramics Fair & Seminar
Olympia, Hammersmith Road, W14; www.olympiaartsinternational.com
The International Ceramics Fair & Seminar
Goggle at the world's finest ceramics at this premier international showcase, featuring everything from 15th century pottery to contemporary British and Continental pieces (from 11 to 14 June). There is also a 12-part lecture programme for ceramic buffs. A panel discussion on 11 June celebrates London's The Wallace Collection, which has inspired various artists (including potter Kate Malone and glass artist Angela Jarman) to make new works, commissioned by Adrian Sassoon, an exhibiting dealer.
New London Bin by Paul Smith, Super Contemporary
Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, W1; 020 7389 6565; www.haughton.com
Super Contemporary
To celebrate the "creative mavericks" that make London a world leader in design, the Design Museum and Beefeater 24 have commissioned 15 leading designers and architects to present "what they would give back to London". The resulting commissions will be on display from 3 June to 4 October. See ideas for tackling noise, pollution, rain and surveillance from a distinguished coterie, which includes Paul Smith, Tom Dixon, and BarberOsgerby. David Adhaye offers a bus shelter, while Thomas Heatherwick has created a "lamp-post chandelier".
Design Museum, Shad Thames, SE1; 020 7940 8789; www.designmuseum.org
The Bedford Park Festival
Set amid the trees and charming Edwardian homes of London's first garden suburb, this festival, from 13 to 28 June, and now in its 42nd year, is a favourite with west Londoners. Green Days Fete and Craft Fair is on 13 and 14 June, and a summer exhibition of local artists runs from 13 to 19 June. Hear Cath Kidston in conversation on 17 June (£15, to include refreshments). And from 19 to 21 June, 54 "Artists at Home" will throw open their studios in Chiswick, Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush.
020 8995 3285; www.bedfordparkfestival.org
Mark Nuell Aquamarine Ring, £1,500, Brilliance
Japan Brand
See what makes Japan one of the world's coolest countries for design at a selling show of Japanese modern and traditional crafts, sponsored by the Japanese government, until 10 June.
Vessel Gallery, 114 Kensington Park Road, W11; 020 7727 8001; www.vesselgallery.com
MaRoCoCo Garden (SW1), Open Garden Squares
Brilliance
Add a bit of sparkle with jewellery from 15 carefully selected designers, from 9 to 12 June.
Craft Central, St John's Square, EC1; www.craftcentral.org.uk/brilliance
Open Garden Squares
Over the weekend of 13 to 14 June, explore some of the capital's gardens not usually open to the public; there are an incredible 190 to choose from.
www.opensquares.org
Trees by Cathryn Shilling
Geffrye Museum
The gardens are in full bloom for a happy programme of family and arts events. These include a Saturday workshop and family Sundays. Check out the programme on the website.
Geffyre Museum, Kingsland Road, E2 ; 020 7739 9893; www.geffrye-museum.org.uk
Cathryn Shilling Glass: a one-woman show
This artist's exciting work has been catching the eye of collectors recently and she has just won a prize at the V&A. Her exhibition runs from 9 to 24 June.
The Silver Grove, 69 The Grove, W5; 020 8567 1615; www.thesilvergrove.co.uk
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